CWI’s statement on coach Simmons' case, chief Cameron
CWI chief Dave Cameron. -Collected
||Desk Report||
West Indies cricket board (CWI) admitted in a press release the liability in a case filed against them by the former Caribbean coach Phil Simmons for the unfair dismissal from his job and denied allegations of the CWI president Dave Cameron recommending a rise in his stipend.
Phil Simmons is currently coaching Afghanistan cricket team and has claimed damages after he was sacked in September 2016 for having complained about “interference from outside” in the team selection process.
The CWI issued a press release and stated: “CWI never denied liability in the Phil Simmons’ dismissal affair for no other reason than to ensure an amicable resolution in the interest of West Indies Cricket. The negotiations with the former coach, Phil Simmons and his representatives are ongoing. While we have a hearing date for March 26, 2019, we are hoping to reach a settlement soon. The Office of the President, like any other department, prepares a budget for its operations in any financial year. The budget is approved by the Board of Directors.”
The board has also denied allegations of the CWI president Dave Cameron recommending a raise in his stipend – costs incurred from monthly expenses – and stated that the raise was instead recommended by the Compensation Committee comprised of the chairman Anand Kalladeen and independent directors, Jennifer Nero and Milton Samuda.
The statement: “For the 2018/2019 period, a total of US$258,263 was budgeted. As of January 31, expenditure stood at $61,768. This cost includes travel.
In late 2017 the composition of Compensation Committee was agreed by the Board of Directors. The Chairman of Finance, Anand Kalladeen was appointed to chair the Compensation Committee. The other members were independent directors, Jennifer Nero and Milton Samuda. CEO, Johnny Grave sat in an advisory capacity. The President was not a member of the Committee and did not attend any meetings of the Compensation Committee.
In March 2018 the Committee reported to the Board of Directors and recommended an increase of stipends for all directors, including the President and Vice President. The recommendation was for a monthly stipend as follows: US$4,000 to the President, US$2,000 to the Vice President, US$700 to all other Directors.
Said increase is not effective unless and until approved by Ordinary Resolution at an Annual General Meeting. At no time did the President recommend an increase for himself.
The Board of Directors wishes to reiterate that the President cannot and does not dictate or approve any increase in compensation or stipend for himself or other directors. He cannot and does not approve the budgets for his office or CWI. Any suggestion to the contrary is inaccurate and misleading.
In the 2017/2018 period, the President’s office had a budget of US$217,604 of which US$223,923 was spent. This money has been accounted for by the Office of the President. All accounts of Cricket West Indies are audited externally by international auditing firm KPMG.”
Meanwhile, Cameron is standing for re-election for the post of the president on March 24 and will be contesting against Ricky Skerritt, a former West Indies team manager, who had alleged that Cameron’s tenure had caused “significant damage” to the board’s finances and reputation.
